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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2004
New to this
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Sat, 04-24-2004 - 3:01pm
Hi everyone.I'm 20 years old and just started having intercourse with my long term boyfriend. We are both very responsible adults, I am on the pill and he uses a condom always. I don't take the pill at the same time everday. It's usually between 8am-12pm. So just a 4 hour span. Does that matter? So is there any chance I can get pregnant when I'm on the pill and he uses a condom (correctly). I just need some assurance b/c being pregnant right now would not be a good thing. I constantly worry about this. I need some female feedback!! Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
In reply to: mishy4
Sat, 04-24-2004 - 3:20pm
Hey Mishy

As I'm sure you know, the only form of BC that is 100% is abstinence.

However, using 2 forms of birth control like your boyfriend and you are, is good protection, yet only if it is used correctly. You say that you guys use the condoms correctly so I'm going to assume you are right there. Now your birth control pill schedule is a different story.

The advice usually given on this board is that you have a +-2 hour span to take your pills and have them still be effective, so a 4 hour difference may be risky. Why is there a gap of 4 hours? Is there any way you can minimize the span to fit into the 2 hour period? You stated that having a child right now would not work well in your life-well that may happen if you aren't careful with taking your pills on time.

You may want to look into a different kind of birth control if you ever stop using condoms.

Hope that helps,

~Brookie

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: mishy4
Sat, 04-24-2004 - 5:17pm
Hi Mishy, welcome!

Brookie is right! Taking oral contraceptives correctly matters! Continually taking your pills sometime between 8am and Noon is not responsible behavior and a bad habit to get into. If you have trouble remembering to take your pills you could set the alarm on a watch or a reminder message on your cell phone or computer to remind you at pill-time. Or, you might want to consider using a lower maintenance method such as: Ortho Evra (the Patch) which is applied once a week for 3 weeks and then a patch free week for your period. Or, NuvaRing (the Ring) which is a small plastic ring worn in the vagina for 3 weeks and removed for 1 for your period. Using birth control correctly is a lot less trouble than an unintended pregnancy. Thanks for stopping by.

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2004
In reply to: mishy4
Sat, 04-24-2004 - 5:53pm
Thanks to dancer and brookie for the input. I will take my pill at 8:00am everyday from now on. No more 4 hour time spans. I honestly thought taking it at the same time everyday was just to make it easier to remember. Now I will be even more responsible!! Good thing my boyfriend is wearing a condom, too. Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-25-2004
In reply to: mishy4
Sun, 04-25-2004 - 6:28am
I have taken my pills way later than a 4 hour span and never had any pregnancy scares, sometimes as late as 12 hours later than usual. (my work schedule is crazy) As long as you take your pill everyday, and your boyfriend is using condoms as a back up (great idea) I think you should be fine.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: mishy4
Sun, 04-25-2004 - 8:56am
Hi grinchwest, welcome!

Taking your pills at varying times isn’t a good pattern to get into. I’m glad you haven’t had any problems, yet. If you have trouble remembering to take your pills you could set the alarm on a watch or a reminder message on your cell phone or computer to remind you at pill-time. If your schedule is that hectic then NuvaRing or Ortho Evra might be a better choice for you. Thanks for stopping by.

Good luck

      Jill